Improvement in gate-latches



ltiteh`-tst5 @anni @fitta SIMON INGERSOLL, OF MIANUS, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS TO HIMSELF AND JOB JOHNSON.

Letters PatentNo. 74,915, dated February 25, 1855' IMPROVEMENT IN GATEIATGHES.

TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, SIMON INGERSOLL, of Mianus, in the county of Fairfield, and AState of Connecticut, have invented a new and improved Gate-Latch; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description thereof, which will enable others skilled in the art to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming part oi" this specification, in whch- Figure 1 represents a side elevation of a gato provided with my improved latch.

Figure 2.is an` end view of the same.

Figure 3 is a similar View, partly in section, of .the same.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention relates to a new self-acting gate-latch, which is so arranged that it can bc easily opened from both sides, and the gate swing cit-her way, and which latch cannot fail to lock the gate when the same is being closed. 1 i p This invention consists in a latch, hung by two fulcrum-pins in slots or mortises in a plate or frame; and said latch is convex ou its under side, and provided with a 11o/tch in the middle. The latch can be raised at either end, and vswings upon the opposite fulcrum', so that the gate can be opened from either side, and swung in either direction; and, when the gate is closing, thelatch is raised at one end by the stop, so that the notch of the latch will receive said stop; and, if the latch should not fall of its own weight, the concussion against the lowest side of the notch will cause the latch to be brought down into a horizontal position, and thereby stop the gate at once, without its swinging past the stop, as is now frequently the case with ordinary latches.

A represents a gate of ordinary or suitable construction. B is the post, or the upright of the opposite gate, if a double gate is used. u

The latch is formed with two end portions, cl c, between which is the notch a. 6* b2 are the two fulcra or pms of the latch. D is a plate or frame, formed, as shown in tig. 3, with openings for receiving the pins b1 b2, so that the latch may be-suspended by said pins, but either pin be free to rise with the latch, whilethe other acts as the fulcrum. A flanged cap, E, secured by a pin or screw, e, covers the latch, holds it in place, and completes the latch portion itself, the latch playing freely between the cap E and the lplate D.

To the post or gate, to which the gate or post carrying the latchis to be locked, is secured a stop, Gr, as shown in tig. 1, which, when the gate is closed, tits into the notch a, as indicated in fig. 2.

By raising oneY end of the latch, as in iig. 3, the 4stop G will be liberated, as shown, the latch falling into 4its original position as soon as thc stop has passed beyond its end. When the gate is being closed, the stop will raiseoue end ofthe latch until it reaches the notch a, when theY latch falls down and locks the stop, as in fig. 2. Shouldthe latch he clamped, so as not to fall down by its own gravity, then it will be forced down by the stop striking against the lower side of the notch.

The device will thus be anfautomatic gate-latch, which cannot fail to operate well, and which, when closed, will hold the gate secure. Its simplicity will make it particularlyacceptable, no springs or other complicated devices being employed.

Having described my invention, I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent- The gate-latch el c2, suspended by the two fulcrum-pins b 1:2, and moving between the plates D and E, substantially in the manner and for the purposes set forth. Y

SIMON IN GERSOLL.

Witnesses:

WM. F. McNAMARA, ALEX. F. ROBERTS. 

